Leonardo: Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva will stay

Posted Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has stressed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva will remain with the club - regardless of whether or not Carlo Ancelotti joins Real Madrid.

The Italian has told PSG that he wants to leave after los Blancos approached him to replace Jose Mourinho, but Leonardo has insisted that the future of Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva is unrelated to that of Ancelotti.

"Neither Ibrahimovic nor Thiago Silva will leave the club if Ancelotti moves on," Leonardo told L'Equipe.

Meanwhile, Thiago Silva's agent Paulo Tonietto has ruled out a summer move as well.

"There's zero chance that he will leave this summer. PSG do not want to sell him. He's an important part of their project and he will stay put regardless of what will happen with Ancelotti," Tonietto told RMC.

Leonardo then went on to make it clear that les Parisiens still hope they can convince Ancelotti to spurn Madrid's advances.

"We hope that Carlo will change his mind. I fully understand that when a club like Real Madrid states an interest, a coach will think it over," he said.

"Ancelotti has always had the unconditional support of this club and when an offer from Real Madrid comes in, it's a challenge for us. The best way to handle these matters is by sitting down to discuss them."

Ancelotti took charge of PSG in December 2011 and guided the club to its third-ever Ligue 1 title this season.